has tabled a parliamentary
motion in Holyrood to ‘express grave concern’ about the impact of
the war in Gaza on pregnant women, babies and children; calling
for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution to prevent
further loss of life.
The Cross Party Group on Men’s Violence Against Women and
Children estimates that around 4,000 pregnant women and babies
are currently unable to access basic pre and post-natal
healthcare and support. The Group has written to the UK
government and British Medical Association, calling on them to
facilitate the provision of more medical supplies and medics to
alleviate as much human suffering as possible.
According to the UN, there are around 50,000 pregnant women
in Gaza and 180 give birth every day, with women and
children representing 67% of all casualties.
Commenting, SNP MSP and Convener of the Cross Party Group on
Men’s Violence Against Women and Children, Rona Mackay, said:
“The ongoing conflict in Gaza is deeply distressing and I deplore
the tragic loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives.
“I am especially concerned that, like in many other conflicts,
women and children are disproportionately impacted, with
thousands of pregnant women and babies unable to access pre and
postnatal healthcare.
“Such enormous suffering cannot be allowed to continue – innocent
civilians must be able to exercise their basic human rights and
recover from the devastation that has followed the October
7th terror attacks.
“We cannot allow innocent women and children to be collateral
damage in this terrible conflict – there must be an immediate
ceasefire."
ENDS
Notes
The full text of motion S6M-11393 can be found here.
Women and newborns bearing
the brunt of the conflict in Gaza, UN agencies warn
